Union Minister opens National Test House in Bengaluru with carbon footprint testing, solar labs and drone certification

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi opened the National Test House in Bengaluru as part of its 115th foundation year, calling for stronger domestic manufacturing and tech self-reliance. The facility now includes solar, utensils and laboratory testing, along with a Suvidha app for easier access to services. NTH revenue grew from around Rs 20 crore to over Rs 50 crore, and it now tests samples from Sri Lanka, Dubai, Bahrain and Bhutan. One item with direct climate relevance is the plan for a testing agency that looks at both product quality and carbon footprint of manufacturing, tied to the Zero Defect, Zero Effect principle. If that testing aligns with international standards, it could help Indian exporters avoid re-testing and prove lower-carbon production. The new MSME Air Technology Centre in Bengaluru, built at about Rs 200 crore, also targets aerospace and defence testing that previously had to be sent abroad.